Nikon 70-200 VR 2.8f Problems

[pia]

Has anyone experienced problems with this lens? I purchased this lens this past weekend and when using it on my D80 it appears to make my view finder jump and make some really strange noises. If it is a lens problem I need to return it within 10 days. Any comments would be so greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Pia

[JDArt]

Can you explain the jumpiness more? If it jumps when first engaged, that's normal. It's the VR kicking in.

[cyclohexane]

It should be doing that when you half-press the shutter release to focus and/or initiate VR. You need to let the VR settle for about a second or two, and then the viewfinder should stop jumping erratically, but it will still move smoothly (and eerily) to some degree. The whirring/klacking noise will continue.

[pia]

Thanks for replying to my concerns.

The jumpiness is like a sharp jump in the viewfinder and happens each time I try to shoot with it. Dosen't appear to make a difference when the sutter is held down half way, is It is hard to explain, nothing I have ever experienced before. I used the same lens with my D50 and didn't experience any problems but my D80 was a different story. I thought there may be something wrong with my D80 so I tried my Tameron 80-300 lens and it appeared to work just fine. I haven't retried it again on the D50. Might try tomorrow.
Thanks

[cyclohexane]

The viewfinder jumps around even when you don't half-press the shutter? Newer cameras behave differently with VR (Nikon's updated the camera side of how VR works recently; the D200, D2X, and D2HS changed their VR behavior with a firmware update), but I don't think the viewfinder should make more than one or two sharp jumps at the outset of activating VR.

Are you making sure VR stops running before you turn off the camera?

[pia]

I also failed to mention that the jumpiness appears to become much more agressive when I am using the onboard flash.

[pia]

Is there a firmware for tbe D80? Yes, VR stops running prior to be turning off the camera.

[cyclohexane]

One update did come out in January: Nikon issue new firmware for D40 and D80: Digital Photography Review

Oh hey, one last question for now: what mode are you running VR in? I tried my 70-200mm on my D2HS yesterday using "normal" mode, and didn't see any viewfinder jumpiness aside from the slight shift when activating VR and my own motion.

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

One update did come out in January: Nikon issue new firmware for D40 and D80: Digital Photography Review

Oh hey, one last question for now: what mode are you running VR in? I tried my 70-200mm on my D2HS yesterday using "normal" mode, and didn't see any viewfinder jumpiness aside from the slight shift when activating VR and my own motion.

Mine sometimes jumps in the D200.

The noise could be described as ... well... does anyone remember those little sound effects buttons on keychains where it sounded like an incoming lobbed mortar after the downward whistle part? It sounds like that kinda muted.

The jump in the viewfinder is very pronounced with the 300 f/2.8 VR at initial and the viewfinder image almost seems to "float" for a sec.

The D80 focus system is the same as the D200 so it may well be normal.

Here's what to do. Go to a local store that has a 70-200 f/2.8 VR on the shelf and put it on your camera. Try it in the store and if it functions the same as the one you currently have then it's normal. It's really hard to describe noises and such, but that'd be your best bet.

I had difficulty with my 70-200 VR shortly after purchase and it had to go back to Nikon for repair. They did replace the VR and a few other things, re-calibrated and such, but mine was wildly focus hunting when used with a teleconverter. When it was on the D100 without a converter it focused fine. I didn't realize VR wasn't working properly.

I did what I suggested to you here. I tested it against another copy of the lens in the store.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

Julio

[cyclohexane]

Mine sometimes jumps in the D200.

I just tried the 70-200mm and 200-400mm on my dad's D200. I do observe noticeable jumps with the 70-200 mounted on the D200 that aren't caused merely by my own motion, which seems more pronounced with his D200 than my D2HS. Also, I do see the floating effect you describe with the 300mm when using my D2HS.

The 200-400mm didn't move much, but it could have had something to do with being mounted on a Wimberly Head.

The noise could be described as ... well... does anyone remember those little sound effects buttons on keychains where it sounded like an incoming lobbed mortar after the downward whistle part? It sounds like that kinda muted.

Oh man, those things were great fun. Yeah, it does sound kind of like that, though I'd also try "distant freeway traffic". I usually use "whirring" as my description, though the 18-200mm VRII is significantly louder to my ear than other VR lenses.

Here's what to do. Go to a local store that has a 70-200 f/2.8 VR on the shelf and put it on your camera. Try it in the store and if it functions the same as the one you currently have then it's normal.

Great advice. =)

[pia]

Took your words of wisdom and went to the store with my camera in tow. The issue was still present on both my D80 and a D200 that was brand new. It appears that this issue only occurs when the on board flash is in use. I decided to keep the lens and purchased the D200 (ouch) along with a 28-70 2.8 lens. That was an expensive trip! Thanks so for your imput it was so helpful.

[cyclohexane]

It appears that this issue only occurs when the on board flash is in use.

I think what you're seeing is the VR cutting off momentarily when the flash is recycling. When the flash recycles the camera cuts off power from other functions to recycle faster. I'm pretty sure it mentions this somewhere in small print in one the VR lens manuals.

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by pia

Took your words of wisdom and went to the store with my camera in tow. The issue was still present on both my D80 and a D200 that was brand new. It appears that this issue only occurs when the on board flash is in use. I decided to keep the lens and purchased the D200 (ouch) along with a 28-70 2.8 lens. That was an expensive trip! Thanks so for your imput it was so helpful.

Whoa. Now that's some serious cash layout. Of course, the 28-70 f/2.8 is an incredible lens. You'll love it.

Julio

[flumpo]

I am using mine on a D200 and after using the focus lock button on the end of the lens the camera started showing low battery and wouldn't re-focus again (I had let go of the button). This was partly remedied by turning the camera off and back on again, but it has happened again without the use of the focus lock buttons.

Any opinions gladly received.

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by flumpo

I am using mine on a D200 and after using the focus lock button on the end of the lens the camera started showing low battery and wouldn't re-focus again (I had let go of the button). This was partly remedied by turning the camera off and back on again, but it has happened again without the use of the focus lock buttons.

Any opinions gladly received.

If your lens is an early serial number, you might want to have it checked for the ground wire problem that existed with earlier models of the lens.

Julio

[Nikongr]

Originally Posted by flumpo

I am using mine on a D200 and after using the focus lock button on the end of the lens the camera started showing low battery and wouldn't re-focus again (I had let go of the button). This was partly remedied by turning the camera off and back on again, but it has happened again without the use of the focus lock buttons.

Any opinions gladly received.

Call nikon sounds like you have a problem or try the same lens on another body .
My d200 and 70-200 is ok on that .

[MrB]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

Are you making sure VR stops running before you turn off the camera?

What does this mean? I didn't know VR needed to stop running before turning off the camera. Are you supposed to switch it off somehow before turning off the camera?

Thanks

[Nikonfreak]

No, just wait a second or two after letting off of the shutter or AF ON button before turning off the camera.

Julio

[cyclohexane]

AF-ON doesn't initiate VR on any of the bodies I've shot with, but I haven't checked on a D300 yet.

DOF Preview and half-pressing the shutter release does initiate VR, so keep your digits away from those buttons.

[MrB]

I have the 70-300 VR and the D80. I don't notice any movement in the viewfinder when I press the shutter release with VR on. Now, I am concerned that maybe it isn't working. Is there some way to tell? I also don't hear the high pitched noise that some have referred to, but I can't hear a lot of high frequency sounds, so I never thought much of it.